Kr. Barnett et al., Information and communication practices: the joint concerns of age and gender in the information age, AUSTRAL J A, 19(2), 2000, pp. 69-74
Objectives: To explore the extent to which gender differences appear in the
choices of information and communication sources used by older men and wom
en.
Method: Data were analysed from a survey utilising questions related to old
er people's use of a variety of traditional and computer-based information
and communication categories.
Results: Older adults are making use of a wide variety of traditional and c
omputer-based communication technologies. Involvement with traditional cate
gories, such as books, newspapers, television, radio and the telephone cont
inue. When older men and women have access to the new computer mediated act
ivities, they make equal use of them, however men appear to be more likely
to own a computer.
Conclusion: In view of the late life health and social scenarios for older
women, the implications of gendered life experience should be considered wh
en encouraging older adults' involvement with computers and the Internet.